Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5200)

About the role

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join its Autonomous Pilot Integration team. You will develop and integrate autonomy software for unmanned platforms across air, maritime, space, and effects domains, and see your code run on real hardware in field tests.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and field autonomy software solutions, including payload computer bring‑up and container‑based deployment.
• Collaborate with Autonomy Capabilities, Perception, feature crews, and external platform integrators to deliver mission‑critical functionality.
• Own build, configuration, and validation processes for mission‑ready systems, coordinating hardware/software compatibility and release cadence.
• Travel to test sites and support live mission operations, performing safety checks, system bring‑up, and troubleshooting under time‑critical constraints.
• Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy stacks, payload computers, and embedded systems in lab and field environments.
• Capture mission data, reproduce issues in simulation, and work with capability owners to drive fixes into subsequent builds.
• Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, reliability, and team efficiency.
• Implement and validate compliance with command‑and‑control standards such as A‑GRA, UCI, and OMS.

Required profile

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 5 years of related experience (or equivalent with advanced degree).
• Ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance.

Required skills

• Proficiency in C++ for real‑time, latency‑sensitive systems.
• Linux‑based development, embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
• Experience with middleware/pub‑sub frameworks such as DDS or ActiveMQ.
• Hands‑on support of demos, exercises, or field tests for unmanned/autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with autonomy simulation environments.
• Python for scripting, automation, and analysis.
• Container orchestration tools (k3s, k3d, Docker) on embedded or payload compute.
• Vehicle control stacks (PX4, ArduPilot, spacecraft flight software, vessel autopilots).
• Build‑system tools (Conan, CMake) and CI/CD pipeline experience.
• Knowledge of C2 standards such as A‑GRA, UCI, OMS.